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Sad, but if we want to be…

Sad, but if we want to be the institution that we all say we do, you just can't cut corners like that and follow it up with lies to investigators.  Freaking OSU fired Tressel after his successes for similar offenses.  End of discussion.

"To hell with Notre Dame." 

"To hell with Notre Dame." 

Somehow still always an appropriate quote no matter the conversation.

 

To paraphrase Bob Gibson,…

To paraphrase Bob Gibson, the only thing I know about pitching is that it's hard to hit.  But a good friend of mine is a long time HS baseball coach, and he maintains that the mechanics of this pitching staff is not good.  Evidently our former pitching coach is now with the Tigers, and our pitching decline coincides with him leaving.  I don't know if this is true; any input by those in the know?

Our fourth goal came on our…

Our fourth goal came on our fifth shot, shorthanded, against Sparty's second goalie of the night. Portillo had two assists to go along with his shutout and was pulled for senior Jack Leavy with five minutes to play who completed the task.  "Nuf said!

 

 

Just weird, dysfunctional…

Just weird, dysfunctional family sh*t.  The guy takes a renegotiated contract where the meat is in the bonuses.  He gives away the bonuses to staff in the department.  He finally has a season which may allow us to close the recruiting gap with OSU. He immediately subverts it and starts showing interest in every NFL job opening that has an interest in him on the eve of NSD.  He takes verbal shots at Ryan Day, et al like a school kid, then takes his ball and goes home.  Whatever...rip the Band-Aid off already.

If he was going, my choice for the past two years has been Fickell.  Remember Bo was originally an OSU guy too.  Bottom line is this is Michigan.  It should be the dream job of any number of candidates who could be successful here.  IMHO, Gattis has been meh until this year, but whatever.  Looks like he's the guy now.  Can't do worse than 2-4.  Go Blue, Josh; let's do this!

 

How is any of this different…

How is any of this different than Michigan's hockey team having to forfeit in last year's NCAA  tournament?

 

In this age of instant…

In this age of instant gratification, we all want to see immediate elite recruiting.  But as is pointed out in this piece, that isn't the way it works.  The transfer portal has become a counterweight to traditional recruiting rankings, and that is also something to watch going forward.

For this class, there is something else much more important.  Even in the age of free COVID years, our team is ridiculously young.  Of 86 scholarship players entering this season, three had senior eligibility and 73 had freshman or sophomore eligibility.

Here are some notable contributors who entered the season with true freshman eligibility:  Blake Corum, J. J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, A. J. Henning, Junior Colson, R. J. Moten, Roman Wilson, Zak Zinter, Kris Jenkins, Nikhai Hill-Green, Rod Moore, Andrel Anthony, Jaylen Harrell, Kalel Mullings, and Makari Page.  This list doesn't even count redshirt freshmen!  Attrition is sure to happen, but I can envision a day three years from now when opponents' fans are asking themselves, "my God how long has that guy been on Michigan's roster?!"

Plus, we have some quality down the roster.  At one point in the season, I counted 17 four-star recruits that had yet to crack the two-deep.

Bottom line is that with a top 15 class this year, improved recruiting in the next couple of years, avoiding an exodus of early departures, and continued focus and work in the team's preparation, we should be able to compete for the B1G for the foreseeable future.

 

This is the kind of loss…

This is the kind of loss that feels like a loss to Ohio State USED TO feel like.  It's a gut punch when all the opportunities were there for the taking.  So many mistakes that added up to the loss, but then you look at it realistically and it all comes down to us not being able to stop one guy running the ball.  I mean, coming into the game if you said Walker III would have 100 yards and 3 TDs, that would be disappointing.  After the game, you say if only we could have held him to that, we win.

But in the larger scope, this loss is devastating, but not disqualifying.  In fact, I think we are the better team in the way that if we were to play them 10 times, I think we win 6 or 7.  Not taking anything away from Sparty, because on that Saturday, they were the better team.  But losing a nail biter to your rival, on their field, when they have 2 weeks to prepare for you, where they hit every crucial 4th down and 2 point conversion, and where the video replays go against you 6 to 0 (7 if you count the targeting non call), is not disqualifying.  IF (and this is a BIG if) that were to be our only regular season loss, it's hard to imagine it would keep us out of the CFP.  I think that when the rankings come out tonight, that will be clear.

But that doesn't feel realistic.  It would require a 1969 type of an upset over the Buckeyes.  So, what would a "successful" season be?  I think it's late enough in the season to play out the scenarios, with Vegas' preseason over/under of 7.5 wins as the backdrop.

Our 4 games left consist of two trap games where we are the better team but could lose if we lay an egg, one daunting road test like State or Wisconsin, and one game against a clearly more talented team that has our number.

If we come away with less than two wins, it's likely to end the Harbaugh era.  Although 8-4 is technically beating preseason expectations, that is still losing 4 of our last 5 regular season games.  By all rights we should be happy with a 9-3 season, but it would still seem unfulfilling. By almost any measure, 10 regular season wins is a slam dunk success that would mean a big New Year's Day bowl matchup and a good shot at a top 10 final ranking.  Win out, and we are likely at least tied for first in the B1G East, and either "in" the CFP or one of the first two "out".  We are officially at the place now where style points matter from here on out if we have any chance of the CFP.

Personally, I'd be happy with any 10 win season, even if that 10th win came in a bowl game.  As much as I'd like to beat the Buckeyes, we are just not where they are at as a program...but a 10 win season would give us enough credibility to recruit well and plausibly gain on them.

 

Great win. Impressive!

By…

Great win. Impressive!

By all norms, that late first half TD should have buoyed the Badgers and demoralized us.  But it just seemed to piss us off.  Credit coaching at halftime to get the team to forget that first half finish and focus on the task at hand.  And credit the staff to take the team that played the second half against Rutgers and turn them into the one that showed up in Madison.

Another road challenge looms this week, but clearly this team has the capacity to be able to focus more on what "we do" than worry about what "they do".  We just need to keep the mantra going that "we haven't done anything yet", and play with the same fire that we've brought to the table thus far.  Yesterday's great win is undone with a loss in Lincoln.

 

As the announcer went, "whoa…

As the announcer went, "whoa".

Ha ha, timing is the essence of humor.  Instant classic!

 

This is the kind of game…

This is the kind of game that makes me point, counter-point myself so much I haven't got a clue what to expect.  They have absolutely owned us; games over by halftime.  In the many years I have followed M football, there are few moments more painful than when we turned it over on downs after three runs from inside the 1 yard line, then watched them quarterback sneak it for five yards to get out of the shadow of the end zone.  Watching Rutgers dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in the second half reinforce this point.

But then I see a counterpoint where Wisconsin is 5 - 5 over the past two seasons and we are 6 - 4.  They are not the juggernaut Wisconsin of 3 or 4 years ago, and I am pretty sure we are not the Michigan of last year.  This is a game where we need to kick them while they're down and not let them right the ship against us.

But we couldn't pile on a winless Penn State team at home last year when we had the chance, so who knows?  My gut tells me the crowd plays a role against a team that includes many players that have never played in a full, hostile stadium before, and Harbaugh is selling us that it is only one game and all of our goals are still on the table when it all plays out.  But I would LOVE for me to be wrong.

 

I haven't read every comment…

I haven't read every comment, but I haven't seen anyone mention that the deep shot that just missed C. J. was shortly after changing sides of the field so the wind was behind us...and that play coincided exactly with the biggest sudden gust of wind all day. It was unpredictable and definitely affected the ball.

 

Harbaugh should hide this…

Harbaugh should hide this information to the team and plaster that initial poll on every corner of the locker room.  If ever we could create a Dantonioesque huge chip on our shoulder, this is the year.

We didn't just get left off that poll.  We didn't just get snubbed.  We were bride-left-at-the-alter humiliated.

Northwestern, with seven returning starters on offense and defense combined, got four times the number of points we did.  Coastal Carolina got five times the number of points we did.  We got less than half of the points that Liberty got.  Wait; Liberty?  YTL.

That initial poll could be a huge motivational gift psychologically if we can manage to take advantage of it.

 

The post-workout photos of…

The post-workout photos of Corum, coupled with his quotes in the annual football preview issue of The Wolverine, give me some degree of hope.  Haskins will continue to do his thing, and Edwards will at least have his moments.  The real key will be if the offensive line can stay healthy and progress.

 

As to more NHL talent now…

As to more NHL talent now than there used to be; I recall listening to an interview with some old timer talking with Mickey Redmond decades ago. He said he had a long journey to the NHL.  He couldn't get on a good Junior team so he "had to go to college".

 

6'4", 225, smart, strong arm…

6'4", 220, smart, strong arm with some touch, borderline 4 star with high floor and ceiling?  Why any Wolverine fan wouldn't be happy with this late turn of events in this recruiting cycle is beyond me.  Welcome, and Go Blue!

Can someone please post some…

Can someone please post some data to see if Michigan loses players at a faster rate than it's peers, or if it just seems like Michigan loses players faster than it's peers.

On a related note, why the f*ck do we care about recruiting so much when 25% - 30% of them are gone within a couple of years.  Why does Wisconsin  recruit poorer, but develop better than us?

 

While losing Livers sucks,…

While losing Livers sucks, we have quite a bit going for us.  We have several days to plan for his absence.  While there are no patsies in the tourney, we have manageable matchups for at least a couple of games to get up to speed with the new lineup.  We have the best player over the past couple of years from an ACC team (granted a weaker one) ready to plug into the starting lineup.

Now we need Johns to step up and play like he has shown flashes that he is capable of.  And I really think that Williams is just one great outing away from things clicking for him.  He seems to press a little and the game still seems a little fast for him.  I think this is mental and a boost of confidence could do the trick.  Same goes for Jackson, who could also see a few more minutes.

Lastly, we should remember that Nunez was a regular and even started a game or two.  He hasn't seen a whiff of PT outside of garbage minutes this year.  That has to be because Smith, Brooks, Jackson, Brown, et al just have him beat from a talent perspective.  I agree we are probably not a legitimate 1 seed without Livers; but I feel anything less than an elite eight appearance would be at least a little disappointing.

My first reaction was, "crap…

My first reaction was, "crap, this sucks; MBB and WBB both crushing it, and hockey on a roll...".  My reaction after reflection is that I just hope everyone in the department, the greater university community, and the the whole geographic area can just stay as healthy and safe as possible.  Just survive to fight another day, people.

"And if next year's OSU game…

"And if next year's OSU game is not competitive Harbaugh is gone."

This has been said in some form for over five years now.  I guess he gets a pass this year because he couldn't keep enough players free from COVID concerns to be able to play.

The biggest disappointment is that we have once again fallen to the pre-Harbaugh level of irrelevance.  For most of the Harbaugh years, Michigan has at least been an unlikely win or two away from a championship and  included in debates about where in the top 25 they belonged.  Now we are again at the point of pure irrelevance.

Last night felt somewhat…

Last night felt somewhat like the last few Red years, when it seemed like every grade-A chance Minnesota got was a laser to the corner of the net, and every one we got was a laser right to the midsection of the pads of the goalie.  Hats off to LaFontaine for the shutout, but man, covering up the five-hole seemed like the toughest thing he did all night.

The mask commentary works,…

The mask commentary works, but I found my own metaphor on Sunday.  My block M flag was flying proudly on gameday as it always does.  When I got up on Sunday morning, the flag was on the ground as sometimes happens on windy nights. Except this time was different.  This time the flagpole hadn't just wriggled out of the socket; it was bent and broken in half.  There is no fixing it.  It needs to be replaced.  The sooner the better.

 

 

"That porch was a siren."

"That porch was a siren."

As a graduate of the business school (located mere steps away), this sentence says it all for me.

This literally brought a…

This literally brought a tear to my eye.

When I was a student there, the Brown Jug's Mexican pizza was the only entre I can remember that my buddies and I couldn't finish (and thereby create some much needed leftovers).  As I recall, it was a pizza with both a top and bottom crust.

Good Time Charlie's opened when I was a student, but the Jug was already an establishment...one of the very few that have been continually running in the same location as the day I enrolled as a freshman.  But the tear in my eye is thinking about my son growing up in a Michigan family and learning all about the traditions like you did as an 11 year old.

I agree.  So the underlying…

I agree.  So the underlying question to everything is, "who will benefit the most and who will be hurt the most" if the bottom line is that this year's season just doesn't get played?

You have to think that OSU would be in the best shape.  For them, their redshirt junior five star that leaves early will be replaced by a redshirt freshman five star.  I also think that a program like Northwestern with high character, non-NFL players and a very good coach will prosper relatively when play resumes.

I think the jury is still out for us.  Although this exodus is startling, we do have some good talent to fall back on in the lower part of our depth chart.  Plus we have recruited high character kids who I hope will stay focused and keep working.  And, as for me, I still have enormous faith in Jim Harbaugh as an excellent Xs and Os and teaching techniques coach.

Men's hoops is looking good,…

Men's hoops is looking good, but I can't shake the "what if" we hadn't got hosed against Ohio State...notably our last loss.  We'd be 19-8 overall, tied for second place in the B1G, and with some impressive quality wins.  Regardless; we're still the team you don't want to face in a tourney down the stretch...

More than anything, to me it…

More than anything, to me it looks like the shooting problem is completely between the ears.  Right now it looks like the team is feeling pressure, so every shot is an exercise of "oh my gawd I hope this goes in".  Penn State played loose like they had nothing to lose, and we were so tight like the team thought if we lost this game we should win we are totally screwed.  Not many players were having fun last night.

Juwan's job now is to get these kids believing that schemes are going to work and shots are going to fall.  They are playing for Michigan because they are GOOD as basketball; relax, have fun, and expect success.

 

I still think Zavier should…

I still think Zavier should consider the Harlem Globetrotters.  Certainly not the money or glory of the NBA, but there are worse gigs and you're still gettin' paid to go to the "ballpark" every day.  Also less wear and tear on the body and a lot of sheer joy to boot.  I'd love to see what kind of range he could extend that hook shot out to without the fear of missing a bad shot costing your team.

I'm glad Harbaugh is…

I'm glad Harbaugh is coaching and not you.  When we win, and we will in the not too distant future, it will be all the sweeter to have done it with students who go to real classes and in the face of the nay-sayers.

This hurts, no doubt.  But we just didn't play as well as we are capable of playing.  Simple as that.  Missed extra point.  Missed tackle on a 3rd and 18. Offsides on a punt.  Fumble. Drops. 

And of course their first drive fumble bounces like a basketball to work like an extra deke, and targeting is not a thing that applies to Ohio State.  But in spite of how poorly we played we still were down 15 points, with the ball, with 10 minutes to play.

Doubt if you want, but this game was there for us.  And in spite of how improbable it seems, it can go south in a hurry for the Buckeyes.  First they have to lose a couple of games they shouldn't in order to let the finger-pointing and fan vitriol begin.  You know...like it has for us.

I hope Harbaugh has the "we take it more seriously than they do" video on a constant loop in the weight room.  We could use a little Dantonio-esque indignation for the next couple of years.

 

All the pressure's on…

All the pressure's on Louisville; we're a team unranked a week ago going on the road to face #1.  

Hell, I thought beating Iowa State was a nice resume builder that could prove important marching into March.  Then we got NC and the Zags.  Louisville too?  Why not?! 

 

I have come to believe that…

I have come to believe that Harbaugh has kept the carries limited to both Charbonet and Haskins for this game.  Tru is fine, especially with the game going according to plan in the second half.  But surely everyone notices the acceleration that Charbonet provides in the open field, and Haskins' ability to squirm through the most unlikely holes.  Both of these young guys will have very fresh legs and have absorbed very few hits for #1 and #2 backs at the end of the B1G season.

Harbaugh is 0-4 against OSU, that is true and last year's game was a defensive debacle.  But Harbaugh clearly outcoached Meyer in half of those games.  Had we been able to even get a COUPLE of stops in last year's game, even that becomes a close fought shootout.  I'm pretty sure Don Brown has been thinking about this game since halftime of last year's game, and will come up with a wrinkle or two.

The Buckeyes have been playing lights out, no doubt...largest victory margin since Army during WWII.  But their toughest tests have been Cincinnati, Wisconsin, and Penn State at home.  And this year, WE have NOTHING to lose.

It will suck that this year will go without a B1G championship or trip to the playoffs.  But who wouldn't take victories over ND, MSU, OSU and in the Rose Bowl to go along with a top 5 National finish as a consolation prize?  I believe in this team, and I know they believe in their selves. 

Shock the world, beat the Bucks, and GO BLUE!  

I've seen three complete…

I've seen three complete games this year on TV, none live; 2 losses and a tie.  Every game was the same.  Michigan outshot the opponent, controlled the puck better, out-skated, displayed better stick skills, and played most of the game in the opponent's zone.  And the effort is mostly there; you see guys diving in front of shots and willing to do the dirty work to dig the pucks out of corners.  But then they inexplicably have lapses where they get lazy and don't seem to care about turning it over which leads to goals for the opponent and sucks the air out of Yost.

Mel has already initiated some healthy scratches this year to try to send messages.  I can see where his coaching is fine on the schemes and everything else, but he needs to figure out how to get the concentration level sustained in order to avert these boneheaded mistakes.

 

Former QBs cannot be trusted…

Former QBs cannot be trusted #3 was when Griese asserted that one advantage of having Shea instead of Dylan in at QB was because Shea was so much more of a running threat.

 

I am with you, Marcus.  No…

I am with you, Marcus.  No doubt this next game is crucial, but the first quarter of that game hasn't begun yet.

You see from my login name I am old.  Let me tell people about 1975, when two of our first three home games were ties against patsies Stanford and Baylor.  Let me remind people about 1980 when we squeaked by perennial doormat Northwestern by a touchdown in our home opener and followed that up with two losses.  In 1977 we were ranked #1 in the nation, then went to Minnesota and got shutout 16-0.

My point is momentum in a season can change just like it can within a game.  Wins and losses can seem to come out of nowhere and change things.  Right now it doesn't look like we can compete with Penn State or Notre Dame; let alone taking on OSU.  But trust me, things can change.  And people who dismiss Harbaugh as a coach in spite of a win percentage over .750 are off base.

I agree it is time for this team to step up and play to their potential.  But to suggest they are incapable of that happening is misguided.

God, I hope I am right.

 

Thank you.  Gawd, I read all…

Thank you.  Gawd, I read all the comments waiting for someone to point that out.  I'm so glad you did...and also I'm so glad that Harbaugh didn't whine like a kid who had his lunch money stolen like Dantonio did even though the loss was much more painful.

 

As has been pointed out ad…

As has been pointed out ad nauseum, Patterson sure looked like he was playing hurt.  If so, then why no Dylan McCaffrey?  Look, I am not a "cheer-for-the-backup-quarterback" kind of a guy.  For God sakes I saw those people boo Tom Brady.  But you have to have confidence to be able to go to your backup in a tight situation.

The alternative to Shea being hurt is either that he just had one of those days that happens to every athlete once in a while, or that it turns out that this former 5 star is more of a great practice player than make the big play game player.  He would have looked much better against Middle Tennessee without the drops; but Army looked like it was on him.

I really am pulling for Shea.  But either he needs to get healthy, he needs to flush this game out of his memory and play like everyone knows he can, or we need to allow our meritocracy to function.  I am hoping he just had one of those days we'll all look back on someday, chuckle, and just be thankful we survived that bad day with a "W".

As someone who has…

As someone who has personally seen four or five Navy at Michigan games, one thing that will be cool to see is the atmosphere.  The Middies section at the Big House was mainly in uniform, and as I recall largely marched in and out together.  That was when the opposing team's section was behind the opposing team's sidelines.  I'm curious to see how many cadets will make the trip and how far their section will extend...especially since my tickets are in section 14, row 96; behind opposing fans of teams that travel really well.

Hopefully they don't have THAT much to cheer about.  I remember the Middies celebrating crazily, jumping and throwing their hats in the air one year when they took a 14 -0 lead.  It was somewhat less celebratory after they lost 70 - 14.

No time to read the comments…

No time to read the comments today, so this may be redundantly redundant; but the very frustrating not punching the TD in from the 1 play would not have happened had Eric All remembered that he was playing football and not watching it.  Had he even turned toward the man, not blocked him, but stayed in his way a little, the 3rd down play is a TD.

 

PLEASE DON'T let this be the…

PLEASE DON'T let this be the harbinger of things to come.  Have we not paid our dues to the Michigan-hating football God already?....

 

I'd love to see it too, but…

I'd love to see it too, but in any event give me a healthy and seasoned Charbonnet in NOVEMBER...not the freshman having trouble getting used to the grind of Big Ten football in November.

We are definitely due for a star running back...please let it be at long last!

 

EXACTLY my thoughts when I…

EXACTLY my thoughts when I read this!  That is the position with the greatest need for depth, and Lord knows GT QB is a running back anyway.  This is true especially with the comments on vision and getting out of tight places and turning them into long runs.

I trust Harbaugh here...he converted Evans and we were all like, "uh, what?"

 

I figured out Bakich's…

I figured out Bakich's strategy as soon as I saw the Freshman on the mound yesterday.  If for some reason we got the lead in the late innings, we had Criswell to come on and finish.  The more likely situation is we struggle to do anything against their stud, so we save our two dudes to be all-in on Wednesday.

It's not an ideal situation, but they are the best team at the World Series and we are a last-four-in team.  We have to roll the dice.  It is like holding with a 12 in Blackjack when the dealer has a 6 showing.  It's not the way you'd like it, but it is the best play you have.

And... https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=4An1BrG2u_4

 

"For the strength of the…

"For the strength of the pack is in the wolf is in the pack, and the strength of the pack is in the wolf."

Rudyard Kipling (and also former Michigan coaches)

 

I am guessing English must…

I am guessing English must be Diego Da Silva Costa's second language.  "Me caga en to puta madre" is much more mainstream profanity en Espanol.

 

If I were the guy in charge…

If I were the guy in charge of hiring for the Harlem Globetrotters, I'd be figuring out how the heck I could coax Z into joining them.  Think he could get to the point where he could make it from three point range consistently (knowing he had the shot unchallenged)?  I do.

Meadowlark Lemon made a career out of the half court hook.  And pulling down opponents' shorts, playing up how hard he was fouled, then a free throw with an elastic cord, but I digress.  It would be even better from a 5 ft. whatever guy.  There are worse jobs than playing the Washington Generals or Boston Shamrocks every night...just sayin'.

 

What we need now is a dose…

What we need now is a dose of Dantonio style chip-on-our-shoulder attitude.  Us against the world; circle the wagons.

Having watched M football…

Having watched M football for quite a few decades now, what we are seeing in Higdon is something special.  He has done things the right way, working hard and earning the status he now has.  He has always surprised with his sneaky ability to get to the edge and turn the corner when it doesn't look like he can; but now he is also toughing out runs for a few extra yards here and there.  Sometimes that means just getting to the line of scrimmage instead of getting thrown for a four yard loss.  He also gets the job done blocking; and I LOVE how he deflects every bit of praise that comes his way to his line.

OK, he doesn't have breakaway speed once he is free.  But I have seen few backs over the years that are as effective as he is right now.  Running back is not a weakness of this team despite the notable lack of recruiting stars they have between them.  If I am an NFL GM, I'd hope to snag him with a mid to late round pick for sure.

 

Prepare yourself; because…

Prepare yourself; because B1G refs do NOT call holding on Ohio State.  Watching that OSU/PSU game, it occurred to me that no other team could have likely made that comeback because there are rules against holding for every other league team.  PSU players who were blatantly held got up play after play, justifiably throwing up their hands and presumably saying "WTF, man?"

 

I laughed.  I cried. …

I laughed.  I cried.  Murderwolf is a burgeoning star to be reckoned with.  Two thumbs up.

 

It's a 7 point loss to ND on…

It's a 7 point loss to ND on the road when the comeback fell short after a disappointing first half.  Damn I wanted that game and our OTs suck.  But I do get the feeling this year is different.  We need to step up and make the plays on the money downs as we Scotch tape an offensive line together using all the deception we can.  

You can buy into the 0-17 on the road to ranked teams, 6-6 in our last 12, etc., and all of that is true.  But it doesn't have much to do with how our coaches will prepare for the upcoming weeks or what this team is capable of.  And although that game seemed to mean everything, the truth is that it really meant nothing, because every single goal other than a perfect season is still on the table for this team.  We may well fall short, and Ohio State on the road is a heluva lot tougher than ND.  But I ain't giving up on this team yet.

My senior year in college (1980-81) saw us lose to ND and South Carolina along with a one touchdown win against then-patsy Northwestern in the first three weeks.  Trust me it was worse than this to open the season, but then we ran the table and won the Rose Bowl.  This team needs to believe in itself.  And I for one am going to believe with them until I no longer can.